With hindsight, we see the remarkable importance of the Council of Jerusalem. This gathering of the church leadership clarified the gospel message and served the worldwide spread of the Christian faith.

Already the gospel has gone out from Jerusalem, to Judea and then to Samaria. But how will the Gentiles hear? Saul / Paul's conversion on the road to Damascus is a turning point in the story of the early Christian church.

Paul�s missionary journeys follow a pattern. Wherever he goes, he speaks to the Jews first and then the Gentiles. Some are antagonistic and raise trouble for Paul, others believe and are saved. And all the while, God�s kingdom grows.

From the very beginning, the Gospel of Jesus Christ was always intended to go out to the ends of the earth. Here, we see it crossing the great Jew=Gentile divide. After 2000 years of testimony, we might wonder if the job is now done. Reflection on Acts 10 serves to challenge us to look beyond ourselves and prioritise mission and gospel work in un-reached and under-reached areas.

The book of Acts tracks the growth and spread of the Christian Church, from Jerusalem, to Judea, to Samaria and then to the ends of the earth. This movement is remarkable in so many ways that today we tend to excuse ourselves for being so different. And yet, nothing has changed. We also are the same people of God. God�s Holy Spirit still lives among us. We are also charged with testifying to Jesus and declaring his gospel of forgiveness of sins.

Acts 8 concludes the account of the spread of the gospel from Jerusalem, to Judea and Samaria� just as Jesus intended. Significant walls of religious division and cultural difference have been broken down. Jesus� kingdom is for all kinds of people, in all places. All can be saved and become full members of his kingdom. All of which calls us to consider which boundaries we might cross with the gospel.